“I wanted to stay on court as long as possible”: Naomi Osaka finds strength in family after gritty win
WTA
Naomi Osaka hopes for a deep run at the Miami Open after a hard-fought victory against Yuliia Starodubtseva. The former World No. 1 had to dig deep against a rival outside the top 100 to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win.
Osaka knows what it’s like to achieve big results in Miami, with her best performance back in 2022, when she reached the final but fell to Iga Swiatek — a victory that secured Swiatek’s first time as World No. 1. Since then, Osaka has played 13 WTA 1000 tournaments and only once reached the quarterfinals, back in Qatar 2024.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was on the brink of disappointment once again. Just two weeks ago, she was knocked out in the first round of Indian Wells by Colombia’s Camila Osorio, after which she declared on social media: "Worst match I've ever played in my life. Wow, I'm so sorry to everyone who watched that.”
This time, she struggled again at the start, falling behind 0-5 against a less experienced opponent in these types of tournaments. However, she gradually found her rhythm, and despite dropping the first set and trailing 2-4 in the second, she managed to fight back and claim the victory.
In her on-court interview, Osaka mentioned that Miami is a particularly special tournament for her, as she gets to spend time with her family in The Magic City. "I consider Miami my home. I wanted to stay on court as long as possible. They kept me going and I'm glad I won,” she said. “My mom is here. I'm spending a lot of time with her and my daughter. I'm just happy to keep going here."
The 27-year-old Japanese star faced challenges but emerged with a win that could be a confidence booster. In the second round, she’ll face 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova, who arrives in good form after reaching the quarterfinals at Indian Wells, defeating top-ranked opponents like Daria Kasatkina (12th) and Jasmine Paolini (6th).
Match Info:
Naomi Osaka - Liudmila Samsonova
Start time (local): Not scheduled yet
Start time (your time): Not scheduled yet
Tournament: Miami Open presented by Itaú
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Osaka | Samsonova | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 1 | 1 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 1 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 61 | 21 |
| Race Ranking | 57 | 23 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 64 (-3) | 18 (+3) |
| Live Race Ranking | 54 (+3) | 23 |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 27 (16 Oct 1997) | 26 (11 Nov 1998) |
| Birthplace | Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan | Olenegorsk, Russia |
| Residence | Beverly Hills, California, United States | - |
| Height | 5'10" (180cm) | - |
| Weight | 152lbs (69kg) | - |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2014 | - |
| Coach | Patrick Mouratoglou (2024–) | Danilo Pizzorno, Alessandro Dumitrache |
| YTD W/L | 6-1 (86%) | 9-6 (60%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 7 | 5 |
| Prize Money | $22,047,163 - 21st in all-time rankings | US$ 5,847,447 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
L Samsonova d N Osaka WTA Madrid - Round of 646-2 | 4-6 | 7-5 25 Apr 2024 |
||
|
N Osaka d L Samsonova WTA Indian Wells - Round of 647-5 | 6-3 9 Mar 2024 |
||
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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